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Pitbulls gear up for state

Courtesy Photo/Marcelino AldazThe 2011 Cortez Pitbulls Special Olympics basketball team is shown after regionals in Grand Junction at Mesa State College with their second-place ribbons. From left to right are Ray Korns, Scotti Bagwell, David Winter, Joshua Aldaz, Amber Raouit, Beau Ayers, Rodney Guggenheim and Wesley Hamilton.

Courtesy Photo/Marcelino AldazWesley Hamilton, left, of the Cortez Pitbulls, posts up against the opposition in a game at the Colorado Special Olympics regional tournament in Grand Junction on Feb. 13.

The basketball regional tournaments for the Special Olympics of Colorado were held Sunday, Feb. 13, at Mesa State College in Grand Junction.

The Cortez Special Olympics Pitbulls were fortunate enough to attend. They played the Grand Junction Dribblers and won with a score of 52-17. The Pitbulls played a second game with Delta but lost by a score of 49-29.

The Pitbulls placed second out of five teams, which qualified them for the state tournament on Saturday, March 19, in Lakewood. One of the Cortez Special Olympians, Wesley Hamilton, played his first basketball game in 10 years and has been participating in Special Olympics. He is enjoying himself tremendously. Hamilton has participated in basketball practice, but had never played in regional or state games. Hamilton is looking forward to playing in the state basketball tournament this year.

The Cortez Special Olympics would like to thank the Knights of Columbus and the Four Corners Womens Invitational Bowlers for their monetary donations to start the 2011 sports season off, and Manaugh Elementary School Principal Rick Hover for the use of the gym to practice in.

Anyone who would like to donate toward this years season can send a donation to Marcelino Aldaz, Cortez Special Olympics, 13691 County Road 28, Dolores, CO 81323.

With the ongoing inflation, Colorado requires the local programs to operate solely on fundraising. Special Olympics is required to raise enough funds to pay for its own transportation, meals and lodging.

Pitbulls gear up for state

Courtesy Photo/Marcelino AldazThe 2011 Cortez Pitbulls Special Olympics basketball team is shown after regionals in Grand Junction at Mesa State College with their second-place ribbons. From left to right are Ray Korns, Scotti Bagwell, David Winter, Joshua Aldaz, Amber Raouit, Beau Ayers, Rodney Guggenheim and Wesley Hamilton.

Courtesy Photo/Marcelino AldazWesley Hamilton, left, of the Cortez Pitbulls, posts up against the opposition in a game at the Colorado Special Olympics regional tournament in Grand Junction on Feb. 13.